SSM Health Care plans to go smoke-free in November

February 4, 2004

SSM Health Care plans to make all of its facilities tobacco-free by Nov. 18, the company said Wednesday.

As of that date, the company will not permit tobacco use of any kind inside or outside of its hospitals, clinics, medical office buildings or nursing homes. In addition, designated smoking areas outside of those facilities will be eliminated, the company said.

It is the first health-care organization in the St. Louis area to take the step, said Trudy Barthels, spokeswoman. She said the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and Johnson City, Tenn.- based Mountain States Health Alliance were the only other health-care organizations SSM was aware of that had made a similar decision.

Barthels said a committee is still working out details of the plan, including where smokers will go to smoke, and what kind of support the company may offer to employees who may be thinking of stopping smoking.

"As a health care organization committed to the health and safety of its employees, patients and their families, it is our responsibility to take a leadership role on this major public health issue," said Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, president and chief executive of SSM, in a statement.

The company has received endorsements of its action by various organizations, including the American Cancer Society Heartland Division, American Heart Association, American Lung Association of Missouri, American Hospital Association, and several state organizations.

St. Louis-based SSM Health Care (SSMHC), a health care ministry founded in 1872, is one of the largest Catholic systems in the nation. It is also one of the largest health care providers in Missouri. SSMHC owns, operates and manages 20 acute care hospitals.

© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.

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